"Don't you have self-test kits?" Shortage of test kits amid COVID resurgence

'Doubling' of New Confirmed Cases Continues with Cases Increasing Twofold
Surge in Demand for Self-Diagnosis Kits
Government Allows Sale of Diagnostic Kits at All Convenience Stores

Due to the resurgence of COVID-19, more people are trying to purchase COVID self-test kits at convenience stores.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Gun-chan] Recently, as the number of new COVID-19 cases doubles in a 'doubling' phenomenon amid the resurgence of the virus, sales of self-diagnostic kits at convenience stores are surging again. As a result, some convenience stores are experiencing shortages of diagnostic kits. The government has taken measures to regulate supply and demand, including allowing all convenience stores to sell diagnostic kits to ensure smooth supply.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 19th, the number of new COVID-19 cases was recorded at 73,582. This is the highest number of confirmed cases in 83 days since April 27 (76,765 cases). It is 36,235 more than the 37,347 cases reported on the same day last week, the 12th.

Given this situation, more people are trying to purchase self-diagnostic kits at convenience stores. According to the industry, sales of self-diagnostic kits have been steadily increasing since the weekend of the 9th and 10th. At CU, sales of self-diagnostic kits increased by 93.4% as of the 10th. GS25 also saw a sharp increase of 156.2% and 149.5% over the two days of the 10th and 11th.

Emart24 also saw a 112% increase in sales as of the 12th, and Seven Eleven's sales of self-diagnostic kits from July 1 to 13 increased by 60.0% compared to the same period last month. Some e-commerce companies also experienced increased sales related to self-diagnostic kits. Wemakeprice's sales of self-diagnostic kits from the 1st to the 13th of this month increased by 124% compared to the same period last month.

A notice indicating that this is a store selling self-diagnostic kits is posted. Photo by Kim Gun-chan, intern reporter kgc6008@asiae.co.kr

As demand for self-diagnostic kits rises, some convenience stores are facing shortages. Kim, a worker in his 20s, said, "Last weekend, I suspected COVID symptoms and went around convenience stores to buy a diagnostic kit, but it was hard to find one for sale," adding, "I was able to buy one only after visiting three convenience stores near my home."

On the same day (the 19th), a check of nine convenience stores near Euljiro 3-ga found that only five were selling self-diagnostic kits. Some stores selling diagnostic kits were unable to sell due to a shortage of ordered stock. Even if you find a convenience store selling diagnostic kits, if the previously ordered stock has already been sold out, you cannot purchase a kit.

A store owner named A near Euljiro 3-ga said, "In April and May, no one was looking for them, but now about seven kits are sold daily," adding, "Last Saturday, all eight ordered kits were sold out, and today, only two remain from the six ordered kits." Another store owner, B, said, "All six ordered kits were sold today," and added, "I plan to increase the order quantity going forward."

An employee is repackaging COVID-19 self-test kits at a convenience store in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Given the situation, the government announced COVID-19 6th wave prevention measures on the 20th. Lee Ki-il, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting in the morning and announced the measures.

Regarding the supply of self-diagnostic kits, Coordinator Lee said, "We will strengthen the management of diagnostic kit supply," adding, "We will enable real-time monitoring of diagnostic kit stock status at convenience stores nationwide through an app, and temporarily exempt the reporting requirement for diagnostic kit sales businesses until September 30, allowing all convenience stores to sell diagnostic kits."

Regarding the COVID-19 resurgence, he said, "Although we announced the quarantine and medical response plan on the 13th, the spread of the BA.5 variant virus is faster than initially expected," adding, "The number of confirmed cases at the peak is expected to increase to around 300,000."

He also said, "We will expand the diagnostic and testing system," adding, "We will establish and operate 55 temporary screening clinics in the metropolitan area and 15 in non-metropolitan areas. Weekend testing will also be expanded so that citizens who want to get tested can do so more easily."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.